Why Gator blades?

century3045 · May 23, 2006

What is the purpose of Gator blades? more lift?smoother cut?
I bought my Hustler Super Z used, 125hrs. and it came with 2 extra sets of blades, one set being gator blades. I put them on today and they seemed to leave stray weeds and blades standing when cutting high grass. They have been on wower before because you can tell they have been used. Could it be they are needing sharpened or is it they just aren't designed for high grass and weeds? THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT!!

century3045 · May 23, 2006

What is the purpose of Gator blades? more lift?smoother cut?
I bought my Hustler Super Z used, 125hrs. and it came with 2 extra sets of blades, one set being gator blades. I put them on today and they seemed to leave stray weeds and blades standing when cutting high grass. They have been on wower before because you can tell they have been used. Could it be they are needing sharpened or is it they just aren't designed for high grass and weeds? THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT!!

Bird · May 23, 2006

Gator blades are supposed to give you better lift and a cleaner, faster cut. At least that's what the salesman told me long ago, and apparently that's what a lot of people either get or believe they get, because a number of people on TBN have used them and are happy with them. My brother-in-law, a neighbor, and I, all three, bought them several years ago for our 3 different models of riding mowers. And in less than one season we all three threw them away and went back to OEM blades. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Bird · May 23, 2006

Gator blades are supposed to give you better lift and a cleaner, faster cut. At least that's what the salesman told me long ago, and apparently that's what a lot of people either get or believe they get, because a number of people on TBN have used them and are happy with them. My brother-in-law, a neighbor, and I, all three, bought them several years ago for our 3 different models of riding mowers. And in less than one season we all three threw them away and went back to OEM blades. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

beenthere · May 23, 2006

I have gator blades on now, and I don't think they give as nice a cut, but they do chop (mulch) up the grass clippings a bit more. When the wind is blowing, finer grass clippings is kinda dirty mowing. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
I mainly use them because they are tougher and stay sharper longer than the Deere standard blades. But I don't think either the lift nor the cut is better with the gators when comparing both blades when sharp. Just my take.

Were they not sharp when you put them on? I don't try to sharpen the standing points, just the cutting edge.

beenthere · May 23, 2006

I have gator blades on now, and I don't think they give as nice a cut, but they do chop (mulch) up the grass clippings a bit more. When the wind is blowing, finer grass clippings is kinda dirty mowing. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
I mainly use them because they are tougher and stay sharper longer than the Deere standard blades. But I don't think either the lift nor the cut is better with the gators when comparing both blades when sharp. Just my take.

Were they not sharp when you put them on? I don't try to sharpen the standing points, just the cutting edge.

Farmwithjunk · May 23, 2006

They take an edge better than most blades, and they KEEP an edge better than any blades I've used personally. I don't know that they cut any better, nor do I see where they're any worse than O.E.M. or other aftermarket. But the do sharpen up so good! If you gotta buy replacements, they're a top choice.

Farmwithjunk · May 23, 2006

They take an edge better than most blades, and they KEEP an edge better than any blades I've used personally. I don't know that they cut any better, nor do I see where they're any worse than O.E.M. or other aftermarket. But the do sharpen up so good! If you gotta buy replacements, they're a top choice.

Garrabo · May 24, 2006

I agree, the gators seem to be tough at holding an edge and I think they cut pretty well, Far better than any stock mulching blades I have owned. I got kubota to order me a set of their high lift mulchers that are excellent. I see no difference in performance in them versus the gators. they just dont have the notches cut in them.

Garrabo · May 24, 2006

I agree, the gators seem to be tough at holding an edge and I think they cut pretty well, Far better than any stock mulching blades I have owned. I got kubota to order me a set of their high lift mulchers that are excellent. I see no difference in performance in them versus the gators. they just dont have the notches cut in them.